Solo is a race against the clock that anyone with a car and a license can compete in at virtually no risk

Rallycross

Rallycross pits drivers and cars against the clock in a super-special stage rally format

Track & Trials

Step up to the rush of a real racetrack with SCCA Track Events (TE) and Time Trials (TT)

Club Racing

True wheel-to-wheel racing with the SCCA's regional and national Club Racing program

Welcome

Reno Region Sports Car Club of America offers programs for everyone from new teen drivers to the amateur racers and most anyone with an interest in motorsports in Northern Nevada and the Sierra Nevada mountain areas.

Solo

While solo/autocross competition is accessible to everyone, it is also one of the most difficult racing series to master. Come join our Novice program and learn what it takes to get the most out of your car, or test yourself by competing with our national caliber drivers.

Jason drives his Audi at a Solo event

Rallycross

Similar to Solo, but held on prepared off-road surfaces, the Rallycross program is a great way to get into racing for those on a budget or with limited time.

National SCCA Rallycross promo video

Track & Trials

The ultimate race against the clock, Time Trials puts drivers on a real racetrack at real speeds, but we also offer the instructional Track Events (TE) program for new track drivers and track hounds looking for un-timed fun.

Ken drives his GTR with an instructor at Reno-Fernley Racetrack

Club Racing

This is it, the top-level of motorsports in Northern Nevada. Club Racing is full-on wheel to wheel competition, right here in your backyard.

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About Reno SCCA

-What is the SCCA?

The Sports Car Club of America is a national organization that promotes all levels of motorsports. Visit the national website at www.scca.com.

-What is the Reno SCCA?

We are the Reno Region (#101) of the Sports Car Club of America.

The Reno Region offers several different ways for you to experience competition and performance driving in your own street car, at the lowest cost in motorsports. Whether it's Solo (Autocross), RallyCross, Track Events (TE), or Time Trials (TT), there's an opportunity waiting for you to join the fun.

-How do I join the SCCA, and what does it cost?

You can go to the SCCA National web site and click on the Join Now Tab (or click here), or call 1-800-770-2055.

You may also submit a Membership Application by mail to Sports Car Club of America, PO Box 299, Topeka, KS 66601-0299 or by fax to the Membership Department at (785) 232-7213.

Individual memberships range from $45 to $80 per year.

Membership includes a subscription to SportsCar Magazine, discounts with SCCA associated retailers, and the ability to participate in SCCA race events.

Then, click the 'join this group' button and follow the instructions. If you don't already have a Yahoo ID and password, you'll be prompted to create them. It's free, and you're not signing up for other Yahoo services. Our group list is carefully moderated, and only approved messages get sent to the list.

Remember that if you change your e-mail address, you'll need to re-join our Yahoo group list using your new address.

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About Solo

-What is Autocross/Solo?

Solo (also called Autocross or Slalom) is a timed competition of driving skill, the entry point of motorsports

Speeds and hazards to spectators, participants, and property do not exceed those found in normal, legal highway driving. It's a lot more fun than street driving and you can't get a speeding ticket! Best of all, you can enter in your everyday street car!

Reno SCCA hosts a full season-long Solo championship for those that wish to compete for a championship trophy. However, events are always open to casual competitors. We even have a novice program that takes the confusion out of car classing and rules.

Solo events are generally held in a wide-open paved area. Reno SCCA holds most of its events on a tarmac at Stead Airport. The event consists of individual timed runs through a course made of traffic cones. The fastest time wins, and cars are grouped into classes based on capability.

-How difficult is it to sign up and compete?

Not difficult at all! Check our Events Schedule for the dates and locations, and just show up before 8am if you run in the morning, or before 11am if you run in the afternoon.

We recommend that new drivers come in the morning and run in the Novice group.

You'll need a valid driver's license, and your car must pass a technical inspection for safety purposes. If you don't have your own helmet, we have loaner ones available.

If you have any questions, just ask any of us (either in-person at an event, or online in our Discussion Forums), we're always happy to welcome and help out a newbie. We were all in your shoes once, too!

-What will I need for Autocross?

A valid driver's license (learner's permits are only allowed if a parent or guardian will be riding with the driver), a helmet in good condition that has either a Snell M2000-M2010 rating or an SA2000-SA2010 rating, and of course a car that is safe and suitable for Solo - SUVs, large pickups, and other certain vehicles are excluded. If you don't have your own helmet, loaners are available on a first come, first served basis.

Since all driver's are also required to work as a course worker for a portion of the day, please come prepared to be out on course in the elements; wear comfortable shoes (no flip-flops or sandals), a hat, and bring a coat if it's cold, or sun screen if it's hot.

Reno SCCA provides cold water and time for a lunch break.

-What time to I need to show up?

We recommend participants arrive before 8 am for morning runs, or before 11 am for afternoon runs.

This ensures plenty of time to register, pass tech inspection, and attend the drivers meeting.

Plus, if you get there early you'll have more time to socialize with your fellow racers!

If you know your car's class, check the schedule for the appropriate session for your group, if you plan on running Novice you can attend either session. The morning session begins at 8:45 a.m. and usually ends around noon. The afternoon session usually begins around 12:15 p.m. and ends around 4:00 p.m. but plan on being there at least an hour before the session is scheduled to begin.

Normal Event Schedule (subject to change for special events):

Registration

8:00 am - 12:00 noon

Morning Tech Inspection

8:00 am - 8:45 am

Morning Drivers Meeting

8:45 am

Morning Runs Official Start

9:00 am

Lunch

TBD

Afternoon Tech Inspection

10:00 am - 11:45 pm

Afternoon Drivers Meeting

not before 12:00 noon

Afternoon Runs Official Start

not before 12:15 pm

-How much does it cost?

Non SCCA-members are required to purchase a weekend membership for $15 which is good for both Saturday and Sunday, plus the entry fee of $25 per day. (Weekend membership fees can be applied to a full-membership should you decide to join.)

Those who run in the morning session can also sign up to run again - for no points - in the afternoon session for an additional $10.

-Will I have to do anything besides drive?

Yes.

In Solo all the drivers are also all the course workers. Each session has two run groups, while one group is competing on course, the other group's drivers man the work stations.

Don't worry, we'll show you what to do and it isn't hard, and it's a great chance to watch other drivers handle the course and pick up some pointers from your fellow course workers. But you need to come prepared to be out on course in the elements, so dress appropriately: wear comfortable shoes (no flip-flops or sandals), a hat, and bring a coat if it's cold, or sun screen if it's hot.

-What are the Solo Run Groups?

The Reno Region uses a color-coded class consolidation method to help simplify run groups and competition groups.

National Classes are organized into a Reno Competition Class. Competition Classes are assigned a Run Group Color which indicates when they will run during the day at an event.

There are nearly 50 different classes in Solo, and twice that if you count the Ladies classes. Classes are based on the car you're driving, plus the modifications made to the car. So, this can be a complicated question to answer.

If you want to run for class points at your first event you can try our regional Tuner Class (open to all street legal cars), but we encourage all first-timers to simply sign up for our Novice class, a perfect way to get your feet wet and experience Solo competition. You can always move to a points class later.

-What's the best way to go faster?

The number one thing you can do to go faster is to get seat time.

The number two thing you can do to go faster is to get some more seat time.

You, the driver, are the cheapest and easiest thing to improve, and you will also see the biggest improvements in your times simply by becoming a better driver.

Outside of the driver, your tires are the most important thing on the car necessary for going fast. After all, everything thing the car does has to translate through the tires!

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About Rallycross

-What is Rallycross?

Rallycross is similar to Solo, however it's held on prepared dirt surfaces.

-What happened to the Rallycross program?

Unfortunately, due to a lack of locations to hold rallycross events, and low participation, the Reno SCCA Rallycross program is currently suspended.

We're always looking to revive the program, so if you're interested in helping out, please let us know in the Rallycross Forum or come to a monthly General Membership meeting.

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About Track & Trials

-What are Track Events?

Track Events (TE) is a part of the Time Trials program, focused on learning and fun in an untimed environment.

TE is instruction on driving at speed on a race track, with both classroom and in-your-car-at-speed instruction. You drive your own car, and progress at your own pace. You're taught the fundamentals of performance driving: from how to grip the steering wheel and operate the pedals, to vision techniques and learning the "line" through the corners.

All of this on a real racetrack with real race car drivers sitting beside you as your instructors. In between on track sessions you get classroom time to ask questions and download what you've learned.

TE is generally the next step for Solo participants looking to move to the track, and the first step for new track drivers.

Scott drives his Miata in TE

-What are Time Trials?

"Time Trials" is the SCCA's name for the motorsports activity that falls in between Solo and actual wheel-to-wheel racing. Competition is based on individual lap times, just like Solo, but events are generally held at racetracks or other higher speed venues.

Time Trials are faster than Solo, and it usually takes place on a road race track or airport taxiways and runways. There may be more than one car at time on the course, but the object is to turn a fast lap, not to beat the other car to the checker. Speeds are usually unlimited, but passing is strictly controlled, often restricted to straightaways. Under the Time Trials program, SCCA offers timed competition for regular street cars as well as for fully race-prepared cars. If your car is safe, there's a place for it on the track!

Track Events (TE) are also part of the Time Trials program. TE is driving instruction at speed on a race track, with both classroom and in-your-car-at-speed instruction. A fourth element of Time Trials is Hillclimbs, but Reno Region currently does not offer any hillclimbs.

Scott runs a Miata in Time Trials

-How much do events cost? Do I have to be an SCCA member?

The cost of a TE/TT event varies with the event format, but generally costs around $175 for one day, or $225 for two day events.

You do need to be an SCCA member to participate. Weekend memberships - good for three days - are $15.

-When do I need to show up? How long will I be on track, and what else will I be doing?

Tech and registration open at 7:00 AM, try to be there no later than 7:30 AM. The mandatory drivers' meeting is at 8:30 AM, with the goal of cars on-track at 9:00 AM. A lunch break occurs mid-day, and we shoot to have everyone at the post-event social by 5:00 PM.

In TE, you'll get at least 3, and usually 4, 20 minute sessions on track for an hour or more of track time. Between on-track sessions you'll have a classroom meeting with the chief driving instructor to get some pointers on technique, and to answer your questions. You'll also get some downtime to rest and check your car before heading back out onto the track.

Time Trials generally run in their own sessions, with a morning 20 minute practice, a 20 minute qualifying session, and two afternoon race sessions. Qualifying sets the order for the start of the race sessions in order to try to give each car as much clear track as possible. Race session times are used to determine the winner of the round.

That's what TE is for, to learn how your car performs at speed. You will have to pass a technical inspection to make sure your car is safe, no lose objects or parts (your battery needs to be tightly secured, no dash mats or floor mats, anything lose inside the cabin or trunk will need to be removed) and in proper running condition.

-Does my car need any special safety gear - like a roll bar - for TE?

No, unless you drive a convertible.

If you have a convertible, you'll need to have a removable hardtop, or approved factory installed rollover protection, or a roll bar. "Style bars" are not approved as the sole roll over protection.

You will need to check your brakes to make sure they are at least above 60% life-left, and that you have fresh brake fluid. Of course, your tires will also need to be up to a day at the track, with plenty of tread life showing.

-Besides my car, what will I need for a day of TE?

A current driver's license, a helmet (Snell M2000-M2010 or Snell SA 2000-2010, most motorcycle helmets will be fine), a pair of light soled shoes that completely cover the foot up to the ankle - no sandals or flip flops - and while you're driving on the track we recommend that you wear a long sleeved shirt and pants that come to the ankle, 100% cotton is recommended.

Also, be sure to top up your gas tank as you'll need a full tank and there's no gas available at the track. Bring a bag you can fill with anything you have to remove from your car.

-I don't have any experience at performance driving, can I still do TE?

Yes.

TE is divided into three groups based on driving experience: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced, so you'll be out on track with drivers with similar experience levels as you.

-What are the most common mistakes made by TE newbies?

1. Waiting so long to try it!

2. The wrong clothing. If you're going to drive at high speeds, shorts & tees & flip-flops aren't good enough. We recommend long cotton pants, long-sleeve cotton shirt, and full coverage shoes. Cotton is more fire-resistant than polyester. Blue jeans or Dockers are fine.

3. Not arriving at the event soon enough. Just because the first track session may begin at 9, rolling in at 8:45 isn't a good idea. There's likely to be a line at registration, and even though you may have pre-registered, you've still got to sign the liability waiver and a take care of a few other tasks. And, you've got to allow time for our Tech Inspectors to go over your car. Best bet? Find out when registration will open, then arrive 15 minutes before that.

4. Not enough gas. Driving pedal-to-the-metal really lowers your fuel economy, and at our events, you'll get plenty of time at speed. Starting with a full tank is probably a good idea, at least at your first event. The nearest gas station is about five miles north of the track. If your car requires racing gas, you should bring your own supply.

5. Forgetting to obtain and/or update a Participation Log. A Participation Log is a record of all the SCCA Time Trials events you've been in, and it can be important. If you go to another club's track event, your SCCA Time Trials Participation Log may allow you to be classed as "experienced" rather than a "novice." And, if you want to take part in an Open Test day (sometimes called Test'n'Tune) at a race track, you'll need proof that you are an experienced track driver -- yep, the Participation Log. Make sure you obtain a Log (ask at Registration), and make sure it gets signed off at the end of the day -- only the Chief Steward and the Chief Instructor can sign.

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About Club Racing

-What is Club Racing?

Club Racing is SCCA's top level for amateur motorsports. You can find out more about Club Racing here: www.scca.com/clubracing/

Reno SCCA has held Club Racing events at Reno-Fernely Raceway in the past, but is not currently hosting any races.

The information available on this website may be incomplete, out of date, or incorrect,
please verify with us before taking any action in reliance upon it. Reno SCCA is not liable
for use of incorrect information.